At age 36, Eduard Folayang has nothing else to prove.
Besides being a three-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, the native of Baguio City is also a two-time ONE Lightweight World Champion.
Safe to say, his legacy is already intact.
But come April 29, Folayang will take part in an Asian dream match as he squares off against fellow legend Yoshihiro Akiyama.
Fighting a martial arts icon is a dream come true for Folayang.
“Yun ang gusto nating ma-experience ‘di ba?
“Sa career natin talagang hinaharap kung ano man hinarap na experience nila in the past. And siyempre ‘pag nagawa natin part natin and naipanalo natin ‘to, then it will be a big statement na we’re looking for kasi ‘di maganda mga past performances natin,” said Folayang, who is in the midst of a two-bout skid.
Akiyama himself is a national treasure in Japan.
The 45-year-old Judoka is a gold medalist in the 2002 Asian Games. In mixed martial arts, he is considered one of the most exciting fighters to ever grace the UFC, winning three Fight of the Night bonuses.
A victory over Akiyama — who is coming off a win over Sherif Mohamed last February — will be an additional boost to an already-firm resumé for Folayang.
“I think it’ll be a career-booster, honestly.
“Kasi siyempre si Sexyama mabigat pangalan niyan. So I think ‘yun ang isa sa pinakamalaki maibibigay ng panalo natin against this guy. Siyempre we need to do our part para makuha ang panalo,” said the Team Lakay pioneer.
Besides being a career-booster, a win by Folayang would prove that Filipinos are ‘sexier’ than the Japanese.
“Getting a win over him malalaman ng mga taga-Japan na mas sexy pala ‘yung mga taga-Pilipinas ‘di ba?”
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